For all the emphasis on Brook Lopez not fitting into the Nets’ offensive system under coach Kenny Atkinson, he certainly has surprised through the first eight games.

Instead of pouting, Lopez went to work in practice to alter his game for what has become the second-fastest-paced team in the NBA with 103.5 possessions per game. Lopez has diligently worked on his 3-point shot and the results have shown on the court.

Over his last four games, Lopez has connected on 10-of-26 from 3-point range (38.5 percent). That stands in stark contrast to his previous 490 career games during which Lopez hit on just 4-of-38 (10.5 percent) from beyond the arc.

His development from being a prototypical big man to one who now drives hard to the basket and stretches the court has even impressed the Nets coach.

“Brook is more skilled than I thought, and that’s quite a compliment,” Atkinson said. “We played the Nets in the playoffs two years ago and he was a load, but I didn’t know he was so multi-dimensional. I didn’t know he’d embrace the 3-point line, but it’s also him driving from the line and dunking.”

Sean Kilpatrick has only been asked to play point guard once in his basketball career.

But that’s the position in which he finds himself with injuries mounting for the Nets early in the season. And the former Cincinnati standout said he’s ready for the challenge after starting his first game at the position Wednesday night.

“It’s a little transition for me,” Kilpatrick said. “I’m pretty prepared for it. Coach prepared me throughout the Summer League with doing that. Me being able to sit here and have a couple games under my belt at point guard is something that’s helped me a lot.”

However, Atkinson doesn’t want Kilpatrick to lose the aggressiveness he has shown off the bench.

In seven games off the bench, Kilpatrick is averaging 16.6 points per game, the highest of any NBA reserve this season. Additionally, he has scored in double figures in 24 of his past 26 games as a Net.

“I keep telling him to make the right play,” Atkinson said. “He’s a really good pick-and-roll player. I don’t peg guys like that.”

Isaiah Whitehead (concussion), Caris LeVert (left foot rehab) and Jeremy Lin (strained left hamstring) will not play in Saturday’s game in Phoenix.